CBI Conference 2025: stability, growth, and the ERB debate

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Annual Conference on 24 November 2025 centred on the theme “confidence, choices and partnership for growth”, with a call for stability and long-term planning.

Business demands stability

CBI Chief Executive Rain Newton-Smith urged the Government to prioritise growth through consistent policies, credible tax and regulatory frameworks, and genuine collaboration on reforms like the Employment Rights Bill (ERB). Businesses warned that short-term fixes in planning, energy, and skills undermine investment confidence.

ERB sparked fierce debate

The ERB dominated discussions. The reforms that caused the concerns include restrictions on ‘fire and rehire’, zero-hours contracts, and the proposal to introduce unfair dismissal protections from day one. The estimated cost of these reforms to businesses is £5 billion annually.

• Kemi Badenoch MP, leader of the opposition, called for scrapping the bill, branding it a “political project” that stifles growth.
• Rain Newton-Smith, urged compromise between business and unions.
• Peter Kyle MP, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, promised extensive consultation (in fact, 26 consultations once the bill is passed), stressing the bill is not a zero-sum game.

Growth drivers and challenges

Delegates highlighted urgent needs: competitive energy costs, faster infrastructure delivery, and health as an economic priority. Long-term ill health costs the UK over £100bn in lost productivity, reinforcing the link between workforce resilience and growth.

The path forward

CBI Chair Rupert Soames closed by reminding delegates that business is “the strong horse that pulls the whole cart,” of the UK economy – but only if stability and coherent regulation prevail. 

The Employment Rights Bill is currently awaiting a date to go back to the House of Commons. We are interested to see whether the representations at the CBI Annual Conference will influence decision making at this stage, or whether the Government will proceed with their proposed reforms as they currently stand and will wait until the 26 consultations are launched before considering feedback.